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It’s not unusual to encounter misconceptions about Africa. People erroneously refer to “the country of Africa” or say that someone “speaks African.” Most of my third-grade students were African-American, and they not only knew very little about Africa; they held negative assumptions about anyone who is African. Worse, my students used “black African” as a slur. No one knew how that got started. In fact, part of the reason I usually say “black” instead of “African-American” is that I got used to my students saying “black.” The term “African” was not anything they wanted associated with themselves, even with “American” tacked on to the end.

A Vermont artist brings students face-to-face with her enslaved ancestors.

Bayard Rustin’s participation in the civil rights movement enshrined his place in the history of the 20th century, and his life’s work has become newly relevant during a time when LGBTQ rights are at the forefront of the American conscience.

Kawania Wooten’s voice tightens when she describes the struggle she’s having at the school her son attends. When his class created a timeline of civilization, Wooten saw the Greeks, the Romans and the Incas. But nothing was said about Africa, even though the class has several African American students.

Complete interviews with 14 Americans about the legacy and impact of 'Brown v. Board.'